Pulse corona induced plasma chemical process: A horizon of new plasma chemical technologies

Abstract

A very intense corona discharge can be produced by applying a sharp rising, narrow pulse high Voltage between corona and counter electrodes of a corona system. Because of an extremely increased spark voltage electrons are highly accelerated even under ordinary gas pressure, while ions with much larger mass are not effectively accelerated as a result of too short pulse duration time. Hence, a strongly non-equilibrium plasma with a high electron temperature and low ion and molecular temperatures is produced. A number of gas phase reactions, such as DeNOx, DeSOx and control of hazardous and toxic gaseous pollutants like mercury vapour from incineration plants, can be effectively realized, where the pollutants are converted into solid aerosol particles, with or without additive agents like ammonia, to be easily removed in downstream precipitators. This also opens a new way of producing ultra-fine particles of various exhotic materials. Treatment and dry processing of various surfaces under ordinary pressure (and also reduced or increased pressures) are also possible. © 1988 IUPAC